British MPs call for recovery measures to support the music sector

By Emmanuel Legrand

Some 26 Members of the British Parliament from the main political parties have signed a Commons motion outlining the vital support needed by the music industry and asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to agree to a series of measures that would ensure that the music sector enjoys a full recovery. 

  In their motion, MPs are supporting the following policies: 

  > Establish a Government-backed insurance scheme to pave the way for live music events to proceed; 

  > Extend existing Government support to match the extension of Covid-19 restrictions; 

  > Ensure parity across UK Nations and Regions regarding extension of the 100% business rate relief; 

  > Continue the VAT freeze at 5% for cultural tickets beyond September; and Give additional support to freelancers. 

Cross-party support

  “It’s welcome to see support for the UK music industry from MPs right across the political spectrum. Now it’s vital that this cross-party support is converted into action by Government," said Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Chief Executive of music industry umbrella group UK Music. 

  The motion has been signed by representatives from the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, The Green Party, Scottish National Party, Democrat Unionist Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party, including All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music Chair and Conservative MP David Warburton and former Shadow Culture Minister & DCMS Select Committee member Kevin Brennan.